Finger Lakes Museum moves closer to reality

A multimillion-dollar project to build a world-class museum and educational center highlighting the Finger Lakes region is off to a strong start.

By Julie Sherwood

MPNnow

By Julie Sherwood

Posted Mar. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 6, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Julie Sherwood

Posted Mar. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 6, 2013 at 6:00 AM

Finger Lakes, N.Y.

A multimillion-dollar project to build a world-class museum and educational center highlighting the Finger Lakes region is off to an impressive start.

In the first phase of a long-term project, the Finger Lakes Museum is currently focused at the site of the former Branchport Elementary School where the Finger Lakes Discovery Campus is based. The campus will offer an education and research facility complete with community center, a kayak livery on Sugar Creek and a bald eagle rehabilitation aviary. Eventually, the museum will expand into Keuka Lake State Park to showcase the cultural heritage and ecological evolution of the 9,000-square-mile Finger Lakes region.

The museum teamed up with the Branchport Fire Department to bring the first annual Brrranchport Winterfest on Feb. 23. Festivities from Icelandic horse rides to archery to kayaking filled the day.

With so much happening to grow the museum and much more to do, Executive Director Don Naetzker and Communications Director Natalie Payne answered questions about the project.

Q. What would you say are the top three accomplishments so far in the development of the museum?

A. — Selecting the pristine location at the north end of Keuka Lake as the official location of The Finger Lakes Museum. Many still question why this location was chosen. The entire museum experience plans to be immersive and authentic. In order to stay true to its organizational culture and mission, this location could not be a better pick in exemplifying the characteristics of what a true Finger Lakes experience would be (pristine lake, forests, streams, hillsides, cultures, wildlife, and much more!).

Although location is key, it can’t be omitted that the Museum also plans to serve as the catalyst for the many other immersive and educational experiences throughout the 9,000 square-mile region.

— Attaining its first major fundraising goal of $1 million through its grassroots Founders campaign. Support to the museum came from community members, private foundations, and philanthropists. This $1 million also included generous in-kind donations made by area partners, consultants and private entrepreneurs.

— Receiving support from New York state with grants totaling about $2.5 million. Having solid support from New York state generates confidence that the Finger Lakes Museum is truly a worthy venture for not just the region, but the state as well. The museum will generate a significant economic impact to our region and state and serve as a premier educational tool in teaching the cultural and natural history of the Finger Lakes region. Although the $3 million will eventually be received, the museum does want to make clear that this was not a cash donation of $3 million. The amount has to be matched with over $1.5 million in other funds.

Q. What would you say are the top three challenges so far in the development of the museum?

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A. — The challenge of the current economic climate and the start-up nature of the organization.

— Selling the message that this is a Finger Lakes-wide initiative, and not a local Keuka Lake initiative (garnering support from foundations in Ithaca, Corning, Rochester and Auburn has been challenging because of this).

— Trying to progress the project very aggressively, while not getting ahead of cash flow.

Q. What is the projected total cost of the museum project, and how much money has been raised to date?

A. The entire museum project has been established in a phased approach. There are currently three phases.

— Phase One: The development and creation of the museum’s Discovery Campus (former Branchport Elementary School) in the hamlet of Branchport. Serving primarily as a hands-on educational center, the Discovery Campus will be home to a live bald eagle aviary, earth-to-table programming, craftsmanship studio, a waterfront kayak and canoe center, and much more. This phase includes operating costs from start-up through opening. Total cost: $5 million, with $3.5 million awarded/raised to date.

— Phase Two: The development and creation of the museum’s main exhibit museum and aquarium in Keuka Lake State Park, also known as the Keuka Lake Campus. Programs and experiences here will include: History of Finger Lakes viticulture, waterfront experience, 11 lakes exhibit, treetops experience, bird trail and habitat programs, and more. Total cost: Over $20 million, with an additional need to raise over $10 million for an operating endowment.

— Phase Three: The museum’s Master Plan for development and growth includes a central operating “hub” on Keuka Lake supported by “spokes” (ancillary supporting programs and facilities) which include partner museums, tourism attractions, partner colleges and universities, satellite development/marketing sites and satellite interpretive sites. These “spokes” will be developed as opportunities present themselves and/or as the market supports them.

Q. What is the breakdown of the funding sources? (For example, how much is from state or other government entities, how much is from corporations and how much is from private donations?)

A. For the $5 million Phase I, the funding sources are approximately as follows:

Q. What specific projects or programs in the development of the museum are expected to get under way in 2013?

A. With the museum’s most recent grant award of $578,000 and with the hopeful receipt of some private foundation grants, programs that are expected to occur this year are our Craftsmanship Studio, Camp Keuka, and Earth to Table.

— Craftsmanship Studio: The museum’s new Discovery Campus facility will establish woodworking and studio space that will mostly feature boat-building classes, but also have room and time devoted to other crafts. The initial boat building program will include development of a fleet of rowing wherries, traditional research vessels, a “water taxi” and the restoration of a historic Keuka Lake sailing fleet (the K-Boat). Sample ideas of future “make-n-take” programs for kids and adults may include: Baseball bats, lacrosse sticks (Native American Craft), hockey sticks, toys, birdhouses, mailboxes, wine barrels; skis; oars and paddles; musical instruments; and bows/arrows.

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— Camp Keuka: “4 Independence Street” and “Camp Keuka” is a proposed two-day festival celebrating products made in the Finger Lakes, environmental responsibility, the birth of our country and family fun. It will include a signature family overnight camping experience called “Kamp Keuka.” The event will complement the existing Fourth of July celebration in Branchport that is sponsored by the Branchport Volunteer Fire Department.

Earth to Table: A program focused on planting, cultivating and harvesting fruits and vegetables in an outdoor garden setting on the museum’s 15-acre Discovery Campus and indoors at the center’s hydroponic garden classroom. Participants will be taught the positive effects of healthy and sustainable living. Partnerships will be developed with commercial kitchen facilities where participants will also be able to take the fruits and vegetables they have grown and learn specific preparation and cooking techniques, while working as a team to further develop their healthy living and general life skills.

Q. What is the targeted date for completion of the museum, and what will be the main features of that finished Finger Lakes Museum?

A. The targeted date to fully open the Discovery Campus is 2014, conditioned on successful fundraising efforts. We plan to continue programming this year at remote locations and utilizing the outdoor acreages surrounding the Discovery Campus building. Parts of the building will be open this year. The second phase is projected to open in 2016, once again, conditioned on fundraising.